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Researchers from Australia said they have successfully mapped the Tasmanian devil genome, which could aid in the fight against a cancer that has killed about 70% of the species. One researcher said the data could help scientists identify which mutant genes had triggered the cancer tumor and potentially target those genes with certain drugs.

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Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says he plans to hold up a pending food safety bill that would give more authority to the Food and Drug Administration until Democrats in Congress find a way to fund it. The senator says the bill adds to the federal deficit while boosting the duties of a troubled agency; proponents of the measure say it's necessary to protect the nation's food supply from situations similar to the recent salmonella outbreak that resulted in a massive egg recall.

The Veterinary Services Investment Act, which seeks to address a lack of large-animal veterinarians in rural areas, cleared the House on Wednesday and will go to the Senate for review. Large-animal veterinarians "are the first lines of defense against animal disease and a crucial player in ensuring the safety of our food. This bill will encourage veterinarians to serve these areas where their skills are needed," said the Agriculture Committee chairman.

An animal advocate on Wednesday appealed to the Senate to pass a bill that would bar the sale or distribution of "crush videos" -- sexually fetish films showing animals being abused or slaughtered. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said he is coordinating with fellow lawmakers to "craft a ban that prohibits this extreme animal cruelty and survives judicial scrutiny."

A Phase I study showed that MassBiologics' experimental rabies treatment induced protective antibody levels in subjects comparable to those yielded by human rabies immune globulin, the standard rabies treatment. The treatment is being developed as an alternative to HRIG, which is costly and hard to access in developing countries. "The next step for clinical studies is already in the planning, and we are hopeful that this new therapy will have a major impact on rabies across the globe in the not too distant future," a researcher said.

A poor growing season for berries and nuts has forced bears to forage closer to humans, raiding cars and cabins in search of sustenance. Officials are advising residents in a slew of effected states to carefully contain trash and put away bird feeders to avoid attracting the hungry animals.